The Lost Metal

The last book in the Wax and Wayne series in the Misborn world of the Cosmere by Brandon Sanderson. 
 

It's now been six years since Elendel's world has been opened. Meeting the people from the south and trying to keep political schisms at bay has proved difficult, but somewhat doable. Wax and Steris have taken more control of the political sides of their lives and grown their family, while Wayne and Marsi work as constables as partners. But happenings happen and they find out that Wax's sister has big plans with her secret society which includes blowing up Elendel with equivocally a nuclear bomb. Why would Telsin want to do this? What would this "protect" the rest of the world from? And how much bigger is the cosmere than they think?

I can only be okay with the ending, because HE was okay with the ending. That is all I'm going to say about it. 

I loved that Brandon brought so many more worldhoppers into the series. They introduced so much more than we even have in the Cosmere books to begin with. Seeing some of my favorite characters, not just Hoid, in more of their glory than we ever had before makes me so happy. 

It was fast paced and constantly moving forward while still letting things be explained. It took me a while because I knew what was coming (stupid spoilers) and I didn't want it to happen, but it never felt like it was bogged down. 

I love the characters. All of them. They make me happy. I don't know how to say more. 

The books in this series are smaller comparatively so they are easier to binge and love over and over again. Which means I probably will do that sooner rather than later. 

Allomancer Jak and the Pits of Elantia

Allomancer Jak is another short story in the Arcanum Unbounded book by Brandon Sanderson.

When I first looked at it on Goodreads I thought it was going to be a graphic novel, but it's not. It is a obnoxious, humorous snippet that would have been found in a newspaper with lots of little episodes about adventures off in the Roughs of Mistborn Era 2.

Jak is the obnoxious one. The adventurer who can get himself out if any entrapment or snare by doing the most outlandish things. Whether his tales are "true" or not is for the "dear reader" to read and decide. Jak's story isn't the most thrilling or possibly or "well written" because that's not who Jak is. Brandon wrote it from Jak's point of view and in Jak's words, so they are off kilter--almost so much that I didn't want to read it.

The part that kept me going were the footnotes throughout the piece which were written by a Terris Steward who accompanies Jak on his adventures and transcribes Jak's letters for the public. They are very funny. The commentary is hilarious.

It's a very short story, but one that give a bit more insight to the world of Mistborn era 2. It can be read pretty much whenever after the original series, and doesn't give really anything away.

A short, interesting read if you can get past Jak's obnoxious ways.

Bands of Mourning

A breath of fresh air. I was really excited to read this book because I love Wax and Wayne, Steris and Marasi. They are fantastic and I can't wait for the next one, though it will be a longer time in coming than I want--Fall 2018.

Bands of Mourning in Mistborn: Era II starts with Steris' and Wax's wedding. Of course it goes awry, but Steris has prepared for that. She makes lists of everything and is well aware of whom she is trying to marry. I've grown to love her throughout the book, as many have through others reviews I've read and heard.

They get an assignment to go out to the outer provinces and find the spike of a kandra who was half blown up and has now gone slightly crazy. There are things out there with strange glyphs and carvings that lead them to believe this kandra found the Bands of Mourning, the Lord Rulers Metalminds where he stored all of his Feruchemy powers. They are some pretty powerful weapons that make you practically a God. But they also know Suit is looking for them and probably has the kandra spike as well. Wax is also aware that Suit has his sister, Telsin, and is holder her captive. If he can find Suits hideout, save his sister, brings Suit to justice, find the Bands of Mourning, and the Spike it'd be a really good day. Of course, because it is Wax's life, not all things go to plan like Steris would want. Murder happens, a lot, train robbery, new gadgets that have strange powers, and odd masked people appear. What are those things in the sky?! Awesomeness that's what's up there, not just Steelpushers.

It was a great book, written well, in a world that I've come to love so much. The Cosmere is an amazing universe full of so many ins and outs that it is hard to keep track of them all. Hooray for the coppermind.net  where you can keep things straight, at least for a while until more secrets are revealed. "There is always another secret."

Shadows of Self

Can I just say "Poor Wax, can't the guy get a break?" The things writers put their characters through--I'm guilty as well in this.

Shadows of Self is the sequel to Alloy of Law. In the Mistborn: Era II series by Brandon Sanderson, we follow Wax and Wayne, constables in the large city of Elendal as they hunt down a mysterious figure who killed many more than a handful of corrupt Lords and Ladies. But as they continue on in this investigation then kandra make their debut and change things dramatically in their hunt, though Wax feels more like the prey because their villain is always three steps ahead of them.

I loved this book. The characters are so well developed and Sanderson takes us back, in reference, to other characters that have long since died but were part of the first Mistborn series. Harmony is funny and I'm glad he's been able to stick around from the first series because I always enjoyed seeming him progress. If he can progress as Harmony too, I'd be really interested to see that. They are all so human. They have their quirks; they have their ticks; they have their faults. And I love them all. Well maybe not Steris at this point, but I've been told that I will love her. So we will happily go to book three as soon as I can get my hands on one. :D

It is so hard to go from reading a Brandon Sanderson novel to anything else. It all seems to so childish and unfinished, not quite as polished--even those authors who have written many books and have the experience.

Alloy of Law

Another Brandon Sanderson because his writing calls to me. Seriously!!

Alloy of Law is the first book in the Mistborn Era 2 (AKA Wax and Wayne novels). After the happenings of Hero of Ages, three hundred years of progress and change has happened. The metropolis Elendel is thriving, the original religion that Kelsier started has has fragmented into multiple religions with a plethora of believers, lords and ladies still reign (though who really "rules" is still unclear to me, I may have missed it though), and the Steel Inquisitors don't exist so there are official lawmen who patrol the city to keep the peace.

Enter Waxillium (Wax). Not liking the city scene, he stays in the Roughs for 20 years leaving his House to be run by his uncle. His uncle dies in an accident, but he just can't bring himself back to the city. When his girlfriend dies in front of him *cough cough*, the grief is too much and he returns. But the city isn't as easy going as it he remembered. Parties and appearances need to happen, the family name and reputation needs to be mended and he's finding the lawman in him isn't appreciated in the company of the elite of society around him.

Bad guys are still out there it seems  when he gets word of phantom railcars, hostages, and allomancy metals disappearing. He can't help but let the lawman in him out, but then he finds he's gotten himself into more trouble than he though--nearly getting killed 3+ times in one day is a lot for any man.

His deputy (equivalent) out in the Roughs, Wayne--a wiz with accents and can get anything from anyone--joins him in this hunt to save the hostages and figure out what is going on. Only by the end do they realize how much over their heads they are in.

It's been a great read. With a hint of seasonal depression on my hands, reading this was much needed. I smiled every time they mentioned Vin, Elend, Spook, Marsh, and especially Sazed. Oh, Sazed. The references made me happy because I knew those people! But the atmosphere was bright and , even though they almost died a bunch of times.

Wax was a good main character. We saw most of the novel through his eyes, but his little quirks were fun. Wayne is a riot. I almost expected him to be bouncier, though he was composed. The banter between Wax and Wayne game them a brotherly feel that was a lot of fun. Marasi (very similar to Mare--Kelsier's wife--to me; so I'm making believed she's named after Mare, though it's probably not) is the cousin of Wax's "fiance"--who gets herself kidnapped--and assists Wax and Wayne in their search for the badden's. The makeup of this little troupe brings me joy because they work so well with each other.

Allomancy is still a big thing in this book (series of books) and plays a vital role in the fights that happen. I love the way the Allomancy has progressed through time. Coinshots (which Wax is) and non-Steelburners can use rifles and guns. Now that more people have Allomancy and can marry most anyone they want, Feruchamy (like what Sazed had) abounds too. And the chance of having a child that does both is much more common too. There are so many different types of people that make this world rich.

It was a great read, short--comparatively--but the next two novels are out; we are simply waiting until next year (probably) for the last one. I'm very much excited to read Shadows of Self.

Edit for a Second Read through!!:

I love Ironeyes. I miss Breeze, I miss Kelsier and Dox and Vin and Elend!! I'll be reading Mistborn again soon. This world is amazing.